As soon as his country was in the war, Page took up this suggestion with the Foreign Office.

There was of course one man who was preeminently fitted, by experience, position, and personal qualities, to head such a commission; on this point there was no discussion.

Mr.
Balfour was now in his seventieth year; his activities in British politics dated back to the times of Disraeli; his position in Great Britain had become as near that of an "elder statesman" as is tolerable under the Anglo-Saxon system.

By this time Page had established the friendliest possible relations with this distinguished man.

Mr.Balfour had become Foreign Secretary in December, 1916, in succession to Lord Grey.